(1)The court may at any time after an order for winding up, on the application either of the liquidator or the official receiver or any creditor or contributory, and on proof to the satisfaction of the court that all proceedings in the winding up ought to be stayed or sisted, make an order staying or sisting the proceedings, either altogether or for a limited time, on such terms and conditions as the court thinks fit.
(2)The court may, before making an order, require the official receiver to furnish to it a report with respect to any facts or matters which are in his opinion relevant to the application.
(3)A copy of every order made under this section shall forthwith be forwarded by the company, or otherwise as may be prescribed, to the registrar of companies, who shall enter it in his records relating to the company.
Cases considering section 147 4
[2026] EWHC 1466 (Ch) · 16 June 2026
Section 147 was used by analogy as the express power to stay compulsory winding-up proceedings. The court accepted that the corresponding jurisdiction under section 112 extends to staying a voluntary liquidation. (see paras [33]-[34], [42]-[43])
[2024] EWHC 1601 (Ch) · 25 June 2024
Applies the requirement that an applicant for a stay be a creditor or contributory, as extended to a voluntary winding up through section 112. The appellant had technical standing but failed on the merits because his interest did not justify a stay (see paras [35]-[36], [51]-[54]).
[2014] EWHC 83 (Ch) · 29 January 2014
Section 147 provides the jurisdiction to stay a winding-up order. The court confirms that the jurisdiction must be exercised judicially and refuses a stay where continuation of the winding up protects the investigation and the applicant’s objective can be achieved through a less drastic direction. (see paras [55], [60]-[68])
What each judgment says about section 147 is in the case-law panel in the full Act.